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Ocho Rios - Jewel Dunn's Questions

My husband and I are looking to take a short break from life over e holidays this year. We had planned on staying at somewhere like the Royal Decameron, but the Dunn seems so much nicer. It is, however, right at the limit of our room & flight budget. Before booking, I had a few questions, since it will be our first time in Jamaica and at an all-inclusive.

1) What's not included? Is the minibar included? Are any dishes extra at the restaurants? Is there a limit on how many places you can eat if you only stay for 4 or 5 days? If booking on Expedia, are all the taxes and resort fees included?

2) How much extra cash should we bring if all we plan to do is lay around the pool and beach?

3) What constitutes "resort casual" for him? Will a button down shirt untucked and jeans be sufficient?

4) I was thinking about surprising him with a sexy bikini, like a thong maybe. Is that allowed, or would it be out of place at the pool / beach?

5) Are the Emerald Lanai rooms more for people traveling together as a group? It's what they sound like. I also read that those rooms did not get upgraded in the recent renovation...is that true?

Yes, but only if you purchased a room catagory in which there is a mini bar in the room. Not all rooms have mini bars.

"Are any dishes extra at the restaurants?"

In most resorts special cuts of meat and lobster are extra. As well as premium liquors and specific wines. I don't believe it is here, but that also mean they are not serving it. We did not get to eat at their fancy restaurant Platium, so check their web-site to be sure. We did not pay extra for anything we ate/drank.

"Is there a limit on how many places you can eat if you only stay for 4 or 5 days?"

No. The Japenese restaurant is the only restaurant that requires reservations, so they have enough people at the table. Just book when you get there. No problem. All other restaurants it's first come, first serve. So if you have to wait just have a drink at the bar.

There is a beach bar-b-cue one night that was really good and on Friday night they have the pier dinner. We ate at all the resturants except Platium for dinner, but did eat breakfast there. We enjoyed the food. Some of the best pizza I have ever had and I don't really care for pizza too much. DH loved the hamburgers at the grill and ate one or two per day.

"If booking on Expedia, are all the taxes and resort fees included?"

Yes. I book on Expedia all the time.

"How much extra cash should we bring if all we plan to do is lay around the pool and beach?"

We planned some outside excursions in which we booked on-line but paid cash when we arrived. I brought $2,000. We bought a few things in the gift shop also and at the airport. Also, bought some of the jerk sauces and spices for Christmas gifts for family/friends. I made gift baskets for them.

I would highly suggest getting off the resort and go see Jamaica. It's a shame to just sit at the resort the entire time as you will be missing a great destination. That also gives AI resorts a very bad rep. Shaw Park Gardens, Coyboa Falls, River rafting on the Martha Brae, the Green Goto Caves are fabulous. We also did Dunn's River Falls and the Shopping center and I didn't feel those were worth the time or effort.

What constitutes "resort casual" for him? Will a button down shirt untucked and jeans be sufficient?"

Button down shirt with sleeves and a collar,khaki pants and closed toed shoes. He will not want to wear jeans. 1.) it's too hot even in December when we went and 2.) Jeans are not appropriate. I think Platium was the only restaurant that required long pants. My DH wore tropical shirts with nice shorts and sandals to the other restaurants.

"I was thinking about surprising him with a sexy bikini, like a thong maybe. Is that allowed, or would it be out of place at the pool / beach?"

I do not think that type of swimwear would be appropriate for this resort. I did not see anyone wear anything like that. This is a nice resort with several mature guests.

"Are the Emerald Lanai rooms more for people traveling together as a group? It's what they sound like. I also read that those rooms did not get upgraded in the recent renovation...is that true?"

Don't know anything about that room type. We booked the lowest catagory room and got a nice upgrade to an oceanview room.

Our room was fine and seem somewhat updated. This resort used to be a Sandals, so the rooms are they typical small and standard 'meh' Sandals rooms.

We did a photo shoot around the resort with the photography staff. Several photos for $60.